The Pittsburgh Steelers are:
4-11 ATS in their last 15 games against New England.
The New England Patriots are:
6-0 ATS in their last 6 games following a straight up win.
4-1 ATS in their last 5 home playoff games.
4-0 ATS in their last 4 games against a team with a winning record.
14-3 ATS in their last 17 games overall.
I am siding with the Patriots in this contest. I feel this is a good matchup for New England on both sides of the ball. The Patriots had great success stopping the run all season, allowing an average of only 88.6 rushing yards per game, ranking them third in the NFL, so I expect them to at least slow down Le?Veon Bell. Also, Ben Roethlisberger hasn?t looked the greatest in the playoffs, throwing two touchdowns with three interceptions. Tom Brady should have success against an average Steelers secondary, and the Patriots were able to rush for 140 yards against the Steelers in week seven. Take the Patriots at home in this one.
Pick: New England Patriots -5.5
Over/Under with Confidence Rating
Both teams are sharp on both offense and defense however New England?s defense has been incredible. They should definitely slow down the Steelers much like the Chiefs did, and I am confident the Patriots number one ranked defense will really make life difficult for Roethlisberger, plus the under is 5-1 in the Steelers last six road games against a team with a winning home record. The Patriots should have success offensively themselves, but the under is 5-1 in the Patriots last six Conference Championship games, and with this high total, I think it hits again in this one.
Pick: Under 51
4-11 ATS in their last 15 games against New England.
The New England Patriots are:
6-0 ATS in their last 6 games following a straight up win.
4-1 ATS in their last 5 home playoff games.
4-0 ATS in their last 4 games against a team with a winning record.
14-3 ATS in their last 17 games overall.
I am siding with the Patriots in this contest. I feel this is a good matchup for New England on both sides of the ball. The Patriots had great success stopping the run all season, allowing an average of only 88.6 rushing yards per game, ranking them third in the NFL, so I expect them to at least slow down Le?Veon Bell. Also, Ben Roethlisberger hasn?t looked the greatest in the playoffs, throwing two touchdowns with three interceptions. Tom Brady should have success against an average Steelers secondary, and the Patriots were able to rush for 140 yards against the Steelers in week seven. Take the Patriots at home in this one.
Pick: New England Patriots -5.5
Over/Under with Confidence Rating
Both teams are sharp on both offense and defense however New England?s defense has been incredible. They should definitely slow down the Steelers much like the Chiefs did, and I am confident the Patriots number one ranked defense will really make life difficult for Roethlisberger, plus the under is 5-1 in the Steelers last six road games against a team with a winning home record. The Patriots should have success offensively themselves, but the under is 5-1 in the Patriots last six Conference Championship games, and with this high total, I think it hits again in this one.
Pick: Under 51
